Best kitchens this year
by Mary Bailey
Our judges have an appetite for efficient kitchen design whether small, medium or large. Is the space well-used? Does it work? They also love great lighting and a coherent theme.
There was something the judges liked about every kitchen they judged this year, materials here, colour choices there. Their top choices are kitchens they felt best expressed how we live today.
We wish to thank everyone who entered their kitchen in the TKDA 2019 and told their stories about how their kitchens came to be, how it solved their unique problem or expressed their artistic vision.
All kitchen photos supplied by entrants.
[doptoggle title=”Judges” icon=5 activeicon=6]
 Rebecca Gagne Rebecca Gagne, co-owner of Cucina Bella, a kitchen design shop in Edmonton’s west end, has been designing kitchens since 1996. She is a cabinet nerd at heart and lover of all things kitchen. As well, she is a CKD (Certified Kitchen Designer, National Kitchen and Bath Association) and instructs the Metro Continuing Education Kitchen Planning Course, cucinabella.com. |
 Darrel Halliwell Darrell Halliwell is an architect and managing principal for DIALOG’s Edmonton Studio. He is a member of the firm’s leadership team, responsible for strategic direction and management of the firm across Canada, dialogdesign.ca |
 Michele Roach Michele Roach, principal and co-owner of Wolski Design Group—one of Edmonton’s top interior design firms—is a minimalist-design pioneer, animal print enthusiast and self-proclaimed creative problem solver with a soft spot for logistical nightmares, wolskidesign.com |
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| All kitchen photos supplied by entrants.
Click images to zoom |
Best New Build
Bretton Toop, Habitat Studios
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A welcoming and tranquil custom home was top priority for this young vibrant family. Sharing space with the kitchen is the dining room, great room and a cozy family room for day-to-day family time; all beautifully flooded with natural light due to large south-facing windows.
However, the kitchen is truly the heart of the home for this family, who regularly hosts groups of all ages. Besides seating for a younger generation at the oversized island, the owners requested an area where people could sit more comfortably and still feel part of the kitchen activities. With this in mind, an upholstered bench was added as were white oak floating shelves above, to bring warmth and to showcase dishware and décor.
Nearby, the main kitchen sink is surrounded by large windows, giving the dish-washer such a glorious view of the garden, they may forget they’re washing dishes.
An easily accessible spice kitchen is located near the cooking area with an additional range, wall oven, sink and more storage. Both kitchen and spice kitchen are a stone’s throw from the mud room and attached garage, for ease when unloading groceries.
The generous island remains uncluttered in order to maximize prep and serving area, while the complimentary white oak ceiling detail above establishes the kitchen space and adds visual interest.
Flat panel cabinet doors and white quartz countertops provide a fresh, clean, yet warm ambiance complimented with a monochromatic hexagonal penny tile backsplash.
Surrounded by spaces that flow together, this kitchen is truly the hub of connection.
What the judges said:
“The spice kitchen is about having the ovens and odours away from the rest of the house.”
“This design has a nice spatial feel — I’d want to sit there.”
“I like the finish selections. The kitchen is warm and inviting and the layout has good function.”
Best Renovation
Brenda Brix, AMR Design
Alair & Waygood’s Kitchens
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Our clients were in need of a space where they could entertain but would also be somewhat separated from the formal living and formal dining rooms. The goal of this renovation was to create custom storage solutions and to highlight the views from the window’s ample natural light with a classic mid-century modern feel.
We relocated an oversized laundry room to the second floor in order to expand the once tiny closed-off kitchen into a functional open space with a walk-in pantry with closed door storage, wine fridge and a drop zone for their family.
The star of this room is the handmade heath tile in a watery blue colour. This feature includes a walnut surround that was practical in that it hid the electrical and mechanical elements while also framing the feature tile wall and creating a frame for the windows.
Another feature was the coffee bar space which houses a custom waste center, complete with space for recycling and compost, and a display for the pottery collection. The clients also wanted to ensure that they were making energy efficient choices in this renovation and as such, we used LED lighting, Energy Star rated appliances and quartz counter tops along with other high-end, built to last materials.
What the judges said:
“They worked within a somewhat awkward space yet achieved efficiency and created a specific identity.”
“They didn’t overdo display and worked around the windows well.”
“There are some nice touches—light fixtures, the coffee area, the visual textures work well together.”
“Like the setup of the seating area in the kitchen.”
New Build Honourable Mention 1
Bretton Toop, Habitat Studio
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The goal for this kitchen was to create a fun and inviting space to accommodate a love of entertaining guests with an open floor plan linking the great room, dining and kitchen and bring in natural light. Large windows scattered throughout all these spaces allow plenty of sunshine to flood the rooms and the black frame windows provide a punchy architectural feature. The white flat panel cabinetry incorporates sleek edge pulls; the island’s dark grey shaker cabinetry a subtle contrast. Marble-like quartz helps to brighten the space, as does the simple white subway tile backsplash that extends from counter to ceiling. There is a convenient pot-filler at the six-burner gas range—a nice luxury for the cook. A pull-out pantry and appliance garage is tucked to the side for additional storage. Located between the windows, floating walnut shelves showcase the owner’s favourite dishware, adding even more warmth to this cozy yet crisp and modern kitchen space.
What the judges said:
“I like the efficiency of this design; good work triangle.”
“The abundance of counter space and the open shelving is a nice touch.”
New Build Honourable Mention 2
Deanna Charron, Habitat Studio
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This expansive kitchen revolves around a busy family that loves to gather in the heart of the home to cook and eat and connect and play.
The clients have an affinity for industrial design and the desire to keep it warm and inviting. The result is a dynamic mix of soft and edgy with textured materials to achieve a balance of industrial and timelessness.
There are separate work zones for cooking, prep and entertaining. Functionality is created by grouping the integrated fridge, freezer and ovens next to the main cooking station. The back wall with its custom steel hood fan enclosure and full height soapstone backsplash maximizes the drama.
To the right of the cooking zone, there is a hidden appliance pantry at counter height for easy access to small appliances. From there, the entertaining portion with the bar fridge, built-in coffee machine, and additional sink incorporates more of the decorative features in the kitchen.
What the judges said:
“Liked the amout of storage and the demi-tall area is a nice variation on cabinets to the ceiling.”
DIY Honourable Mention
Katherine Loughlin
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Our home was built in 1996 and possessed the full golden oak package, which was looking worn and pretty tired. We had a walk-in pantry but the storage in it needed to be optimized. We love to cook so we really wanted a kitchen with a great work area, great storage and a counter with seating. We gutted the kitchen; took out the sunshine ceiling; removed the stipple from the kitchen ceiling; changed the lighting to LED; installed a fan over the eating area; installed new cabinetry, sink and faucet, back splash tiling; fresh paint. We purchased a new dinette and new window coverings. We decided to go with IKEA cabinetry and took advantage of their spring sale, getting a good deal on our cabinets and enough in gift cards to get the unique storage items IKEA has. We changed out the broom closet door and all of the window and door trim and baseboards to a cleaner more modern style.
Our reno was a ton of work but so worth the investment in time and energy. The only part of the job we hired out was the installation of the new quartz counter tops.
What do I love most about my new kitchen? I have oodles of storage now and I have a very functional work area in my kitchen as well as in the walk-in pantry. It was a big undertaking, but the result is stunning. The pictures really don’t do it justice. –Katherine Loughlin
What the judges said:
“They did a really nice job.”
“It’s a big improvement on the golden oak package.”